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Saskatoon Interchange Project Update: September 2017

For immediate release: September 11, 2017 - 8:02am

TU17-491

The City is approximately five months into the construction of two new interchanges on Saskatoon’s east side. The Saskatoon Interchange Project, which involves the construction of an interchange at Boychuk Drive and Highway 16 and an interchange at McOrmond Drive and College Drive, began in April.

“Projects like these interchanges not only help people get around faster and more safely, they help drive our economy today and lay the foundations of growth tomorrow,” says the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities. “I'm pleased that work is well underway. Working together, the City, province and the federal government are achieving results for the community.”

“The Government of Saskatchewan is pleased to play a role in helping improve safety for motorists and easing traffic congestion in Saskatoon by investing over $10.9 million toward the Boychuk Drive and Highway 16 project,” says the Honourable Larry Doke, Minister of Government Relations.

The Boychuk Drive and Highway 16 interchange is scheduled to open in the summer of 2019.

“At the Boychuk Drive and Highway 16 Interchange, the temporary intersection is functioning allowing the permanent works to proceed,” says Mike Gutek, City of Saskatoon Special Projects Manager of Major Projects and Preservation. “There is much work ahead, with only 25% complete so far, however it has been a good start.”

At the McOrmond Drive and College Drive interchange site, required underground service work is ongoing and a temporary intersection and adjoining roads, which will be in place until the new interchange opens, will open Sunday, September 10. All traffic movements will be maintained, however delays are anticipated and the City encourages drivers to allow themselves extra time, consider alternate routes, or travel outside of peak hours.

“While work on this interchange is behind schedule, the contractor is working to finalize a plan to be back on track for an October 2018 completion. These are risky projects and if the schedule is not met, the contract has consequences, although typically only monetary,” Gutek says.

Surrounding developers are funding 100 per cent of the McOrmond Drive and College Drive interchange. Once open, both interchanges will ease traffic flow and also include pedestrian and cyclist pathways.

Drivers are reminded that the speed limit through both construction sites is 60 km/h.